A raw-spread broker (now also branded "IC") with companies licensed in Australia, Cyprus, the Bahamas and Seychelles. Most international clients join the Seychelles company, which is offshore-regulated and offers leverage up to 1:5000.
Facts last checked 20 October 2026. Always confirm on the regulator’s register. How we review brokers
Get an email when IC Markets's licence or key facts change.
Key facts
Founded
Not yet checked
Headquarters
Sydney, Australia
Minimum deposit
$0
Max. retail leverage
1:30 (EU, Australia); up to 1:5000 at the Seychelles company
✓ICF up to €20,000 (IC Markets EU only); none for the Seychelles or Bahamas companiesWhat this means
Regulation and entities
Your protection depends on which company holds your account, and that depends on where you live. Each row is one licensed company. What regulation means
Before you deposit: search the licence number on the register, then check that the website and phone number listed there match the ones you are using. How to check a licence
Websites
Official websites
✓icmarkets.com
✓icmarkets.sc
✓icmarkets.eu
✓icmarkets.com.au
✓icmarkets.bs
✓ic.com
Type the address yourself or use a bookmark. Check it matches the website listed for the firm on the regulator’s register.
Watch out for look-alike sites
We have not recorded any look-alike sites for IC Markets. That does not mean none exist.
A clone firm copies a real broker’s name, licence number and branding to take deposits. The register shows the genuine firm, so the surest check is the contact details: if the website, email or phone number you were given is not the one on the register, treat it as a clone. Check a broker step by step
Accounts and costs
Account
Spread from
Typical EUR/USD
Commission per lot
Cost per lot
Min. deposit
Raw Spread (MetaTrader)Raw spread plus $3.50 per lot per sideBase currency: AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, JPY, CHF, NZD, CAD, HKD
0.0 pips
0.1 pips
$7
$8
$0
Swipe or scroll sideways to see every column →
Cost per lot = typical EUR/USD spread × $10 + round-turn commission, for one standard lot (100,000 units) in busy hours. Swap and other fees are extra. Trading costs explained
Typical spreads by symbol
Symbol
Raw Spread (MetaTrader) account
EUR/USD
0.1 pips
Swipe or scroll sideways to see every column →
Typical spreads in busy hours, before any commission. They widen overnight, at the weekly open and around news.
Leverage and margin
Leverage lets you open a position bigger than your deposit, so losses grow as fast as gains. The caps below are the most IC Markets allows; you can always use less.
50%When your equity falls to 50% of your used margin, the platform starts closing your trades, usually the biggest loser first, until the level recovers.
Margin level = equity ÷ used margin × 100. Without negative balance protection, a fast market can gap past the stop-out and leave you owing money. Work out your margin level
Australian and EU companies licensed by strict regulators (ASIC and CySEC)
Published average EUR/USD spread of 0.1 pips on the Raw Spread account, with commission set out per currency
Client money held in segregated accounts, according to each IC company
Wide platform choice, including cTrader and TradingView
Watch out for
International clients join Raw Trading Ltd, regulated only in Seychelles (offshore), where leverage goes up to 1:5000
The Seychelles company's risk warning says losses may exceed the amount you deposit
The Standard account's typical spread is not published (it quotes "from 0.8 pips")
Brand changing from IC Markets to IC, with several regional domains; check you are on one listed here
Overview
IC Markets began in Sydney; its Australian company has held an ASIC licence since 2009. It built its name on raw spreads and fast MetaTrader execution for active traders and algorithmic strategies, with servers in Equinix NY4 in New York. Its global site now uses the shorter brand “IC”.
Regulation and safety
We checked these licences on 20 October 2026. International Capital Markets Pty Ltd holds ASIC AFSL 335692 and IC Markets (EU) Ltd holds CySEC licence 362/18. IC Markets Ltd appears on the Securities Commission of The Bahamas registrant list (licence SIA-F214 according to its site). Raw Trading Ltd, trading as IC Markets Global, is listed as a securities dealer by the FSA in Seychelles (licence SD018).
Most clients outside Australia and the EU join Raw Trading Ltd. Seychelles is an offshore regulator: there is no compensation scheme, leverage goes up to 1:5000, and its risk warning says losses can exceed your deposit. EU clients have the Cypriot investor compensation fund and negative balance protection. See our guide to forex broker regulation.
Costs
On the Raw Spread (MetaTrader) account IC publishes an average EUR/USD spread of 0.1 pips plus $3.50 per lot per side, or $7 round turn: about $8 per standard lot in total. The cTrader account charges $3 per side per $100,000 traded. The Standard account has no commission and quotes “from 0.8 pips” without a typical figure. New Raw Pro and Raw Pro+ accounts cut commission to $1.50 and $1 per side for larger deposits. See the trading costs guide.
Platforms and tools
MetaTrader 4 and 5, cTrader, TradingView and a web trader are offered. See MT4 vs MT5.
Deposits and withdrawals
The global site lists cards, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, wire transfer, broker-to-broker transfer, UnionPay, local internet banking and crypto, in ten base currencies. Most card and e-wallet deposits are instant; wire transfers take two to five business days. Funds go to segregated client accounts.
Who it may suit
The account set-up fits active traders and Expert Advisor users who want raw pricing. If you live outside Australia and the EU, note that you would join the offshore Seychelles company, and start on a demo account first.
How to open an account
The steps as we checked them. Never deposit until you have confirmed the licence.
Check which company you will join
Australians join International Capital Markets Pty Ltd (ASIC), EU residents IC Markets (EU) Ltd (CySEC), and most other clients Raw Trading Ltd in Seychelles. The company is named in the footer of the site you sign up on and in your agreement.
Register in the secure client area
Sign-up runs through secure.ic.com. Give your details and upload ID and proof of address.
Choose an account
Raw Spread (MetaTrader), Raw Spread (cTrader) or Standard. A swap-free version is available.
Fund and practise
Deposit by card, PayPal, e-wallet, bank transfer or crypto. Try a free demo first.
What changed on this profile
Profile published. Licences checked on the ASIC (AFS licensee data), CySEC and FSA Seychelles registers and on the Securities Commission of The Bahamas registrant list (30 September 2026).
IC Markets: common questions
Is IC Markets regulated?
Yes, but by different regulators for different clients. Its Australian company holds ASIC AFSL 335692 and its EU company CySEC licence 362/18, both strict. Its Bahamas company is on the Securities Commission of The Bahamas list. Most international clients join Raw Trading Ltd, licensed by the FSA in Seychelles, an offshore regulator.
Which IC Markets company will I join?
International Capital Markets Pty Ltd if you live in Australia, IC Markets (EU) Ltd in the EU, and Raw Trading Ltd (Seychelles) for most other countries. The Bahamas company, IC Markets Ltd, runs icmarkets.bs.
What is the minimum deposit?
The global site lists $0 for the Raw Spread, cTrader and Standard accounts. The new Raw Pro and Raw Pro+ accounts need $5,000 and $100,000.
Can I lose more than I deposit?
EU retail clients have negative balance protection under EU rules. The Seychelles company's risk warning says losses may exceed the amount you deposit, and leverage there goes up to 1:5000.
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This profile is factual information, not a recommendation or financial advice. Trading leveraged products such as forex and CFDs carries a high risk of losing money rapidly, and most retail accounts lose money. Read the full disclaimer.